News

Chinese Fighters Conduct Unprofessional Intercept of USAF WC-135

5/22/2017

AFA Caption

A Chinese Peoples Liberation Army Air Force Sukhoi Su-30, like the one shown here on top, flew inverted over an USAF WC-135, like the photo on the bottom, during a routine mission in international airspace over the East China Sea on May 17, 2017. Top photo by Dmitriy Pichugin/Bottom photo by USAF SSgt. Michael Holland.

BodyText

​Two Chinese fighter jets intercepted an Air Force WC-135 Constant Phoenix in an unsafe manner, including flying inverted above the USAF plane on Wednesday. The WC-135 was flying a "routine" mission in international airspace over the East China Sea at the time, according to Pacific Air Forces. The Su-30 jets came within 150 feet of the WC-135, and one flew in an "inverted maneuver," a defense official told ABC News. The US military is addressing the incident with China, according to PACAF. The Air Force's WC-135 has repeatedly flown in the region to detect possible nuclear tests by collecting air samples the the region.